Utility pin



R. S RlLEY July 22, 1969 UTILITY PIN FiledJan. 51, 1968 R/M/DOZPH .S'TfW/lfiT/P/[fy INVENTOR.

BY 2 I L ATTOR/VEK United States Patent ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A utility pin operable by one hand having the configuration of a question mark. A pair of pointed pins are slidably moved by a handle provided with a spring biased lock.

Background of the invention This invention is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending application, Ser. No. 642,282, filed by me on May 10, 1967.

As is well known to any individual who has ever tried to clothe or diaper an active infant, there is always the great danger and possibility of accidentally impaling or sticking either the infant or the person dressing the infant. In the common safety pin, the pale portion of the pin is always exposed when in the open position and, thus, presents a further hazard to the infant should the pin be swallowed while in the open position.

While my device has utility as a diaper pin, it will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art, that my novel utility pin has particular and peculiar advantages in other arts as well. Since only one hand is required to operate my novel pin, it may also be used, with appropriate and suitable decorations placed thereon, as a brooch. Additionally, because of its ability to hold a large mass of material, it is also capable of being utilized as an identification clip. In the latter context, when for example, a shelf of papers is to be clipped together for the use or the attention of a given individual, it will be seen that my novel pin may be readily marked with either a distinctive ear or color code or with the persons name. Thus, all papers destined for a given individual will be easily recognized while they are being held together by my novel pm.

It is also possible to utilize my novel device as a clip or probe when it is desired to test electronic equipment. In this latter use, it is merely necessary to hook my device over a wire to be tested and to have the pin pierce any insulation on the wire and allow the wire, or the circuit in which the wire is placed, to be tested.

Summary of the invention In my device a question mark shaped configuration or arrangement is provided wherein the engaging handle or upright portion of the question mark is provided with a hollow central bore in which a latching member may freely ride along the longitudinal axis thereof. The latching member is further provided with a pale or pin member extending through the upright portion and when in the closed position, mates with a corresponding aperture at the end of the hook or curved portion of the question mark configuration. When the pale is in the retracted or open position it is merely necessary to slip the material to be clipped into the opening formed at the curved portion and then, with the thumb of one hand, push the pale through the material and into its mating aperture.

3,456,304 Patented July 22, 1969 ice I Objects of the invention It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to provide a utility pin which is operable by a single hand.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a utility pin, operable by a single hand, and which will not impale the user in either its open or closed position.

The features of my invention which I believe to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claim. My invention itself, however, both of its organization and method of operation, together with further object and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my novel utility pin in partially closed condition.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of my novel utility pin showing the slot and locking arrangement;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of my novel utility pin, taken along lines 3--3 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a detail view of the latch and pale arrangement of my novel utility pin.

Description of the preferred embodiment Referring now to the FIGS. 1 and 2, there will be seen a generally question mark configured device 10 having an upright member 12 connected to a generally curved portion consisting of arm 14, U portion 16 and end portion 18. Upright portion 12 is hollow and is further provided with a slot portion 24 extending along the longitudinal axis thereof with cut-out portions 24.1 and 24.2 at one end thereof for locking pale or pin members 20.1 and 20.2 into their respective apertures 22.1 and 22.2. To complete the device there is shown a thumb pad 26 for operating pales 20.1 and 20.2 and an end closure piece 28 which may be used to facilitate the assembly of my device.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown the switching mechanism 36 mounted in the hollow portion of upright member 12 with the thumb pad 26 mounted atop extension piece 36.3. As shown in FIG. 3, latching member 36 may slide freely within the confines of the hollow portion, yet when it is desired that it be locked, it is merely necessary to forcing latching member 36 up and on to the top of spring 30. The ends of spring 30 are imbedded in slots 32 and 34 respectively so that when latching member 36 rides atop spring 30, extension pieces 36.1 and 36.2 will mate, respectively, with locking sections 24.1 and 24.2.

While I have described what is presently considered the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art, that various other changes and modifications may be made.

What I claim is:

1. A diaper pin adapted to be used by a single hand: said pin being of generally question mark configuration defining a diaper engaging hook;

a user engaging handle, and an angularly extending portion connecting the hook and handle in an offset relationship;

said handle being provided with slot means therein for slidably receiving a U-shaped pointed pin therein;

there being a slot in the handle for slidably guiding a hand engagable pin operating means connected to the U-shaped pin for opening and closing the pin;

said handle having spring biased locking means positioned in such a manner as to lock the pin points against the underside of the hook when the hand en- 3 4 gagable pin operating means is snapped thereover 2,373,586 4/1945 Marinetti 24162 during the p closing operation- 2,644,211 7/1953 Sumner 24162 3,167,833 2/1965 Swartz 24-158 References C'ted 275,537 4/1883 Straw 24-239 X UNITED STATES PATENTS 79,638 7/1868 Cooper et a1 24 239 5 DONALD A. GRIFFIN, Primary Examiner 1,250,596 12/1917 Kuhns 24239 

